The Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” 

 In order to understand what the Shield of Faith does, we have to understand faith.  Hebrews 11 explains all about it.  The very first verse says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  I’m a big fan of Crime shows, a closet CSI (Crime Scene Investigator).  In these shows, the most important thing is the evidence.  They cannot solve crimes without evidence. Evidence is something that furnishes proof.  Our faith in God is based on the evidence around us. When you think about the Earth and the entire Universe and how everything works together perfectly, you see the evidence of God.  When you look at the formation of the human body from an egg and sperm to what you see before you in the mirror every day, you see the evidence of God.  When you witness the miracles of healing and the transformations in lives that were once ravaged by sin, you see the evidence of God. 

  We may not see Him face to face, but we definitely see the evidence.  

 We have the proof that He is here. 

 So how does that faith extinguish the flaming darts of satan?  Think of those flaming darts as the lies that satan shoots at us. 

 Satan says “No one loves you, you are worthless.” 

 God says “I love you so much that I gave my son to die for you.”(John 3:16)

 Satan says “God created your sexual desires, there’s nothing wrong with fulfilling those desires.  There’s no way you can stay a virgin until you get married.” 

God says “There is no temptation too great that I will not provide a way out.” 

(1Corinthians 10:13)    

  Satan says “You can’t trust God to provide you with food or money, you have to work all that you can, even Sunday, and keep all your money for your pleasure.”

God says “I know what you desire, and if you seek Me first, I will give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:22-31) 

  Use your faith and the word of God as a shield.  As those flaming arrows come at you, you WILL be able to extinguish them all.

The Gospel of Peace (Peace Shoes)

 The third piece of armor...you ladies will love this one...shoes!!  

Ephesians 6:15 “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the 

gospel of peace.”  

For me, the focus of this passage is not on the word “gospel” but on the word “peace”. One definition of the word peace is “the absence of conflict”.   Just think about how many times satan causes us to be in conflict with one another! In our homes, in our churches, at our work place, at school, in politics; everywhere we turn, there is conflict. 

 When we are in conflict with someone, it is very hard for us to minister or witness to anyone. Acts 10:36 tells us “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” 

 Peace through Jesus Christ. 

 Peace that passes all understanding. 

 That is what we should have and what we should be ready to take to a lost and troubled world. Sometimes that peace that we have in the middle of a storm (or conflict) is a bigger witness than any word that we can say.  People want to know “how can you be calm when this is happening?”  Then you tell them what Jesus said:

 “Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 

So put your "peace shoes" on.  Jesus gives a peace that overcomes all of the troubles and conflicts of this life.  Be ready to tell everyone where your peace comes from!  This world is not our home, we are only passing through…on our way to ultimate peace with our

 Lord and Savior!  

The Breastplate of Righteousness

 The second piece of armor is the breastplate of righteousness.

 Ephesians 6:14 “with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”    The breastplate was the part of the armor that protected the vital organs like the heart and lungs.  Therefore, it was one of the most important things that the soldier could have on.  

  The Greek word for righteousness in this scripture is dikaiosune (Strong's #1343).  Crosswalk's online lexicon gives these definitions for this word: In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God; the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting.  In a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due.    

So, if we are to put on the breastplate of righteousness, what does that mean and how does it protect us from the devil?  Since this scripture is directed at those who know Christ, the righteousness here is the part of the definition which speaks of integrity, purity, rightness, correct thinking and correct acting.  As Christians, if we are putting on these things every day, then we will definitely have trouble following the ways of satan.  We can’t have integrity AND steal, we can’t have purity AND be sexually immoral, we can’t act correctly AND cuss someone out…you get the picture!   If we have truly given our lives to Christ and are seeking God’s righteousness, we will be changed. 

 Ephesians 4:22-24 says “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” 

 So put on the breastplate of righteousness EVERY day and guard your heart from satan’s wickedness.

The Belt of Truth

The first piece in our armor is The Belt of Truth.  

[Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV] "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..."

If we do not know the truth of God, how can we ever fight against the devil and his schemes?  Satan doesn’t tempt us with things that we wouldn’t like.  Think of Eve in the garden…he used lies and deception to make that apple sound like the most amazing thing that she could ever eat. Ultimately, it led to death and destruction….for the entire world!  Satan will tempt us in the same way…it will look good, feel good, taste good, or give you (false) power! His tricks have not changed.  He is the ultimate deceiver.  That is why we must be grounded in the truth...so that we can spot the lies.

 In John 8:31-32 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  

  Every question or situation that you may come across will have a solution in God’s word…but you must read it!  Never in history has God's word been so readily available. There are endless websites that assist with bible study and tons of apps for your phone that enable you to carry the word with you wherever you go.  We have no excuses for not reading the bible.  My bible app will even read it to me!!  

We must use every tool that God gives us to seek out HIS truth.  I challenge you to buckle it around your waist EVERY DAY!  Get in God’s word and KNOW the truth!  You must have it to fight in this battle! 

Battle Ready

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:11-13 

 Sometimes I don’t think we fully understand that we are in a battle.  Every day we must battle the god of this world…satan.   

2 Corinthians 4:4 says “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,

 who is the image of God.” 

 Our battle is against an unseen presence, but he is here.  Satan causes sickness, he causes conflict, he gives us shame and worry, he gives us evil thoughts, he tries to steal our children, he tries to steal our joy…anything that is evil comes from satan…not from God.  God is a healer; he gives peace, joy, comfort, hope, protection and LOVE.  The next few days we are going to look at each piece of the armor.  Evil forces will ALWAYS come against us because satan wants to ruin our witness and keep us from bringing others to Jesus.  When we learn how to protect ourselves with His armor, then we are to STAND…never run from the battle.  Stand. 

 "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

  Exodus 14:14 NIV

 Satan is the god of this world, but we serve GOD ALMIGHTY and He has the power to crush the enemy.  That same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead lives in each of us who know Him as our Savior and that gives us authority

 over the enemy IN JESUS NAME! 

 Praise God! 

Join me for the next few days as we learn how to be BATTLE READY!!!

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

April 11, 1934

To you that may not seem like an important date, but to me it is.  Clara Dell Grider was born on that date.  She is my mother. There are really not enough words to describe her…she is just simply the best.  She is the most generous, loving, selfless and nurturing person I know.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…that is why I chose this picture to post today. The look on my Mama’s face captures who she is.

  (You will notice that I am looking at the camera…but she is looking at me.)  

 

This picture was taken right after I had given birth for the first time. My mother had always taken care of me and been the strongest person in any room, but on that day when I was in labor with Cody, my oldest child, I saw a side of her that I had never seen.  She was very uneasy.  She said that she could not stay in the room with me while I was in labor because she could not bear to see me in so much pain. (Now that I am a mother, I totally understand.  I would rather die than see one of my children hurting.)

Afterwards, when she could finally come back in the room, everyone else was looking at the baby, but she was looking at me.  I know that she had to make sure that I was OK.  That is what this picture conveys…her looking at me with “love eyes” to make sure that her baby was OK. Nothing could ever take away the love that she has for me. 

I am 43 years old…and I still know that she is looking at me with that love and concern in her eyes…making sure her baby is OK.  It reminds me of my Heavenly Father…looking down on me with love eyes…making sure I am OK. 

I have always known a mother’s love and I hurt for those that have not ever felt that.  I am so very blessed.  I think that is why it is so easy for me to understand the love of Jesus.  I know that some of you have never felt that kind of love from your parents here on this earth...but I am here to tell you that there is One that loves you just like my Mama loves me...His name is Jesus.  He is looking down from Heaven with eyes of love just for you.  

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us..."  1John 3:16 NIV

Today is my mother’s birthday…and there could be no greater gift for her than for someone to read these words and begin to grasp how much they are loved by Jesus today. 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Happy Birthday Mama!!!!!   I love you so much!

What's in a Name

In the bible, names were very important.  A name was the reflection of who you were.  

  

“Many names described nations, people, and ancient history. Some described expressions of hopes, revelations of divine purposes, and prophecies of the future. Some were part of genealogical histories, as it was common in Jewish customs to keep a family history. Sometimes names indicated certain circumstances with their birth or family line. Characteristics and traits of people were an important aspect of names in ancient Israel.” Wikipedia.com

God also gave people new names as they entered into different stages of their lives:  Abram became Abraham (Genesis 17:5), Sarai became Sarah (Genesis 17:15) and Jacob became Israel (Genesis 32:28).   Their new names reflected the future plans that He had for them.

As I pondered on this one day, I began to think about my name, Sherri, and what the meaning might be (because there is a story behind my name)…

My mother told me that the entire nine months that she was carrying me, she knew that I would be a girl.  She had prayed for a girl, because they already had two boys.  Actually, my middle brother and I were not even supposed to be here.  After the birth of my oldest brother, my parents were told that they could not have any more children because there was a problem with my mother’s womb.  When my oldest brother was eight, my mother became pregnant with my second brother.  They were overjoyed and knew that he was a miracle…but not only did they get one miracle, they got two!  My middle brother was only four months old when she became pregnant with me. 

 

 (As I got older, I asked my mom if I was a mistake, because who in their right mind would get pregnant on purpose when they already had a four month old??  

 She said “absolutely not, I wanted a girl so badly

 I would have kept having babies until I got one!”) 

 Now…on to the story of my name…Until the moment she saw me, my name was going to be Rebekah Dawn.  It did not have any significant meaning…she just liked that name.  But after I was born, she looked at me and decided that I didn’t look like a “Rebekah Dawn”, I looked like a “Sherri LaJuan” instead.  (How does a baby not “look” like one name or the other??? I asked her, “Where in the world did you come up with that name??”  

 She didn’t know the answer to that…she said it just came to her.)   

  

Anyway, that is how I became Sherri LaJuan. 

 I have always wondered why she changed my name like that…because honestly I have never liked my name.  I thought Rebekah Dawn was so much prettier!!  But now I believe that it was divine interruption on that day.  God had a different name in mind that he dropped into her heart.  Why?  Because he knew that when I was forty-three years old I would search out the meaning of that name and it would solidify what He wanted me to know about myself. 

 Sherri means “beloved” or “darling” or greatly loved. 

   LaJuan is derived from John which means “Yahwah is gracious” or God is merciful and compassionate.    

How beautiful!  I am greatly loved by God and He is merciful and compassionate to me.  Now every time I think about my name, that is what I will see.  Never again will I regret not being named something different.  I have the exact name that God meant for me.  So thank you Mom for following your heart and giving me the name Sherri LaJuan. 

 It suits me just perfectly. 

 “But now, this is what the LORD says--- "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  Isaiah 43:1 NIV

***After I wrote this article, Jason Gray's song, "Remind Me Who I Am" came on the radio.   These words stood out to me like never before, "If I'm Your beloved, can You help me believe it?" 

 Please listen to the song...it goes with this so perfectly!!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Fa5eFcIIA